V & A DECORATIVE PAPERS Wallpaper Pattern No 2311-166-03

Kilburn’s Coral

The Victoria & Albert Museum has in its collection a unique album of 223 exquisite watercolour textile designs by William Kilburn. Born in Ireland, he moved to London and worked as a botanical illustrator before establishing himself in the textile industry and ultimately managing his own calico printing factory at Wallington in Surrey. Admired and intimidated by his fellow designers, Kilburn created fantastic and pleasing patterns that never failed in quality and originality. All Kilburn’s designs use floral motifs, accessorised with leaves, shells, ribbons or architectural elements, which demonstrate his great skill in pattern making, disguising the repeat in both complex and simple designs.

Here the flowers, plants, seaweed and coral forms a superbly realised and identifiable species are mixed with the exotic to wonderful effect.

Archive Inspiration: Designed for a printed cotton, William Kilburn (1745-1818), London, 1788-92.

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